Which place is cheaper, Big Island of Hawaii or Ponce?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Ponce and Big Island of Hawaii can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii?
Ponce
Ponce is on the south coast of Puerto Rico. It's the second largest city on the island and has been around since 1692 when it was originally founded by Ponce de Leon's grandson Juan Ponce de Leon y Loayza. The city has several nicknames, including La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South), La Ciudad Senorial (The Noble, or Lordly, City), and La Ciudad de las Quenepas (Genip City).
Big Island of Hawaii
What comes to mind when someone says, "Hawaii"? Probably sandy beaches, coconut drinks and lazy days of tanning. It's a dream destination for those who want to get away, but the island of Hawai'i, or the Big Island as it's most commonly called, has so much more to offer than a place to catch up on your latest novel.
At 93 miles across, and a population of 185 thousand, the Big Island was once a large exporter of sugarcane. After its final plantation closed in 1996, tourism became the backbone of Hawai'i Island's economy. More recently, the Big Island has become the focus for sustainable tourism – visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on your destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Ponce Prices
Puerto Rico PricesBig Island of Hawaii Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $230Big Island of Hawaii $327
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $230, while the average daily cost in Big Island of Hawaii is $327. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ponce and Big Island of Hawaii in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Big Island of Hawaii $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Big Island of Hawaii $224
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Big Island of Hawaii
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Big Island of Hawaii Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Big Island of Hawaii $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii?
Prices for flights to both Big Island of Hawaii and Ponce change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPonce $61Big Island of Hawaii $183
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.
- Latin Night with Dinner and Local Music with Transportation: $59
- Puerto Rico Art and Wine Dinner with One Way Transportation: $89
- Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
- Private Half-Day Island Authentic Food Tour : $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Big Island of Hawaii $35
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
- Scuba Boat Diving Experience in Gilligan's Island at Copamarina: $160
- 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $65
- 5 hours Tour in La Parguera Private Boat Charter: $200
- 7 Hours River Tour with Beach and Learn to Make Piña Colada : $195
- 8 Hours Private Tours in Puerto Rico: $150
- Adventure in Cave and the Guayaney Spring: $99
- Afro-Boriken-Loiza: Food, Cave & Art Tour: $140
- Aguadilla 6 Hour Local Tour: $150
- Camuy Caves Experience Tour with transportation: $130
- Cave Hopping Tour: $198
- Caves Coastlines and Beach; Cueva del Indio, Arecibo Adventure : $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Big Island of Hawaii $32
Sample the Local Flavors in Ponce
Also in Ponce, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Artisan Puertorrican Winery and Distillery Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Big Island of Hawaii, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is Ponce much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Big Island of Hawaii is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ponce would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ponce and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Big Island of Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Island of Hawaii than you might in Ponce.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ponce Expensive? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii?
Big Island of Hawaii has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ponce experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Big Island of Hawaii. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Ponce is generally a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (83°F), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In the summer, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. Ponce usually gets less rain in July than Big Island of Hawaii. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Big Island of Hawaii 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii in the Autumn?
Both Big Island of Hawaii and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.
Ponce is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Big Island of Hawaii 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii in the Winter?
Both Big Island of Hawaii and Ponce during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Big Island of Hawaii for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Ponce is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ponce in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 72°F (22°C).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 158 hours of full sun.
Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Big Island of Hawaii. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Big Island of Hawaii 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Big Island of Hawaii in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Big Island of Hawaii. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Also, many visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Ponce is generally a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 26°C (79°F), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Ponce usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Big Island of Hawaii 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Big Island of Hawaii and Ponce
| Ponce | Big Island of Hawaii | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.